Concrete conveying apparatus



Aug. 5, 1969 P. w. M ELROY CONCRETE CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16.1966 INVENTOR- PHILIP W MCELROY 1 A l Fdhhl \l w hllull TIM/w IownsendIoumsend United States Patent 3,459,222 CONCRETE CONVEYING APPARATUSPhilip W. McElroy, 648 Page St., Berkeley, Calif. 94710 Filed Sept. 16,1966, Ser. No. 580,046 Int. Cl. B65g 53/32; F17d 1/00; F161 27/00 U.S.Cl. 137-615 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Concrete conveyingapparatus including a generally flat base, three elongated boom sectionsmounted in an end to end pivotal relationship upon the base and having aflexible hose extending from the base through the pivotal mountings ofthe intermediate boom sections to the outer end of the third boomsection and being arranged concentrically with the pivotal axes betweenth boom sections.

This invention relates to apparatus for conveying concrete andparticularly to such apparatus capable of conveying concrete to anelevated site with great facility and precision.

Pouring concrete into elevated forms is an essential step in many typesof building construction. For example, vertical building walls arefrequently formed by a plurality of precast concrete slabs which slabsare joined together after their erection by a concrete column pouredbetween confronting vertical edges of such slabs. In practicing thisform of construction the slabs are typically erected and plumbed, afterwhich a suitable concrete impervious form is constructed at the jointbetween the two slabs. The joint is completed by filling the form withfluid concrete from an opening in the top of the form. Such verticalcolumn is of relatively small volume, as a consequence of which theactual filling of the form with concrete is a relatively short task.However, because the opening of the form is elevated above the ground ata height of 20 feet or more, complicated scaffolds or like expedientshave in the past been necessary to ready the job for the pour.Typically, more time is spent raising the concrete to a level above thetop of the form than is actually spent in discharging the concrete intothe form.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a concreteconveying apparatus that is capable of rapid positioning for dischargingconcrete at elevated positions. This object is achieved by providing aboom having three sections that are pivotally joined to one another, andby Supporting in the boom a conduit for con crete such as a flexiblehose. Each beam is pivotally movable relative to the others so that thedischarge end of the hose located at the outer end of the boom can beaccurately positioned with rapidity and versatility.

Another object is to provide mechanisms for pivotally driving theindividual boom sections relative to one another in an accurate andstable manner. Achievement of this object is made possibl by provisionof an endless drive cable in which is interposed a double-actinghydraulic cylinder. The sole connection between the drive system and theboom that it drives is through a sheave mounted coaxially with the axisof pivotal movement between the booms. Accordingly, the drive system isextremely simple, and is capable of moving each boom through an arc ofabout 270 or more with respect to the remainin booms.

Still another object is to provide a pivotal joint which combinesmechanical strength with unimpeded concrete flow therethrough. Suchobject is accomplished in the present invention by providing a hollowaxle or shaft for 3,459,222 Patented Aug. 5, 1969 ice pivotally joininga pair of booms to one another and by conveying the fluid concretethrough such hollow shaft. Thus flow through the conduit is unimpededfor any relative position of the two boom sections.

A further object is to provide a concrete conveying boom which is soarranged as to be foldable for ready transport. Thus the apparatus ofthe present invention can be conveniently mounted on a truck and can bemoved around a job site to expedite placement of concrete in plurallocations. Moreover, the apparatus can be rapidly transported from jobto job.

These and other objects will be more apparent after referring to thefollowing specification and accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus of the present invention shown inan extended position and taken generally along line 1-1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. '2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of this invention,portions being shown in broken lines to indicate the folded position ofthe apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end view of the apparatus taken along line 3-3of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic fragmentary view of the boom adjustingmechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view at enlarged scale taken along line 66of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 6 taken generally alongline 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, reference numeral 12indicates a base structure or turntable adapted to be pivotally mountedon a truck bed (not shown) which truck bed also carries a conventionalconcrete pump (also not shown). Such pump has a discharge end to whichis connected a conduit 14, which in one apparatus designed according tothe invention is formed in a circular configuration having an insidediameter of four inches. Base 12 includes a pair of upstanding verticalmembers 16 between the upper portion of which is pivotally secured afirst or inner boom section 18. The pivotal connection is indicated at20. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 21 is provided for positioning beamsection 18 relative to base 12. At the end of section 18 remote fromaxis 20 a second or medial beam section 22 is pivotally secured about anaxis 24. A third or outer beam section 26 is mounted to the outer end ofsecond beam 22 by a pivotal connection shown in mor detail in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, such pivotal connection is established by a hollowaxle or pipe 28 rigidly secured to outer beam section 26 at 30 andjournalled for rotation with respect to medial beam section 22 at 32.The pivotal connection between inner beam section 18 and medial beamsection 22 indicated at 24 in FIG. 1 is substantially identical to thesimilar pivotal connection shown in FIG. 6. Hollow shaft 28 defines abore 34 that has an inside diameter equal to that of conduit 14, as aconsequence of which concrete freely flows through the pivotalconnection.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing, theportion of conduit 14 joined to medial beam section 22 is formed by arigid steel pipe section 36 joined to hollow axle 28 for relativerotation by a joint 38. The joint is formed by a flange 40 on pipesection 36 and a flange 42 on pipe 28, which flanges have smooth endfaces for mating with one another in a slidable relationship. Forsecuring the flanges together, a split ring 44 having a generallyU-shaped cross section is placed in circumscribing relation to flanges40 and 42. As seen most clearly in FIG. 6, the width across the spacebetween the legs of the U shape of ring 44 approximately equals thecombined thickness of the flanges, so as to secure together influid-tight, relatively movable position flanges 40 and 42. Bolts 46 areprovided for securing ring 44 in place.

On the opposite end of hollow axle 28 a second steel pipe section 48 issecured by means of a conventional flange connection 50. Accordingly,outer beam section 26 is freely pivotally movable with respect to medialbeam section 22 without in any way inhibiting the flow of concretetherethrough. It should be understood that the joint between inner beamsection 18 and medial beam section 22 is substantially identical to thestructure shown in FIG. 6 and includes a pivotal joint 38 and a flangedjoint 50.

The end of pipe section 48 remote from flanged connection 50 is bentinwardly to the longitudinal center line of outer beam section 28 andterminates in a straight section parallel with the longitudinal axis ofthe outer beam at a rotatable fluid-tight joint 52 that is substantiallysimilar to the joint 38 described hereinabove. Outwardly of joint 52 isa conduit section 54 which in one apparatus designed according to thepresent invention was formed of rubber hose of the same diameter as theremainder of conduit 14. Conduit section 54 terminates at a nozzleopening 55 and is supported on a arcuate saddle 56 that is formed ingenerally quarter circular. Saddle 56 defines a concavity for supportinghose section 54 and is pivotally mounted to outer beam section 26 at 58,the axis of pivotal movement afforded being concentric with the axis ofrotation afforded by joint 52. Accordingly, as indicated by arrows 60 inFIG. 3, the discharge end 55 of hose section 54 can be pivoted withrespect to outer beam section 26. Beam sections 18, 22 and 26 arepivotally positioned relative one another to align the discharge end ofhose section 54 in proper position in respect to a concrete form openingand for this purpose, a mechanism depicted schematically in FIG. isprovided.

Such mechanism includes a double-acting, hydraulic cylinder 62 mountedrigidly with respect to medial beam section 22. The cylinder includes apiston 64 having rods 66 and 68 extending from opposite ends thereof.Attached to rods 66 and 68 is a cable or like flexible tension member70. Adjacent the inner end of beam section 22 a sheave 72 is providedfor supporting cable 70. On the opposite end of beam 22 andconcentrically rigidly mounted with hollow shaft 28 is a second sheave74. An idler sheave 76 is carried on beam 22 for guiding cable 70 andfor adjusting the amount of slack therein.

It will thus be seen that a hydraulic fluid is supplied to one or theother end of cylinder 62, that piston 64 will be moved within thecylinder and move cable 70 to a corresponding amount. Such actionrotates sheave 74, as a consequence of which beam section 26 is pivotedrelative beam section 22. With specific reference to FIG. 5, when piston64 is moved to the rightward extremity of cylinder 62 a theoreticalreference point on rod 66 is disposed at a position designated as A.Corresponding with such position outer boom section 26 resides at anangle with respect to boom section 22 identified by reference characterA. When the same theoretical point on rod 66 is opposite referenceletter B, outer boom section 26 resides at an angle indicated byreference letter B. Reference characters C and D in FIG. 5 show othercorrelations between the position of rod 66 and the angular position ofouter beam section 26.

A similar mechanism is provided for positioning medial boom section 22with respect to inner boom section 18 and because such mechanism isidentical to that described in connection with FIG. 5, it need not bedescribed again in detail. It is sufficient to say that such mechanismincludes a hydraulic cylinder 62' which is operative to drive a cable70' which cable is supported on idler sheaves 72' and 76 to drive asheave 74 rotatively fixed with respect to medial section 22.

It is to be understood that conventional hydraulic controls (not shown)are provided for actuating cylinders 21,

62 and 62', such controls being mounted on the vehicle that supportsbase 12. Because such controls are entirely conventional, a detaileddescription of the same is unnecessary.

The operation of the present invention is as follows: the vehiclecarrying the apparatus is positioned adjacent the site at which it isdesired to deposit fluid concrete and by actuation of hydrauliccylinders 21, 62 and 62', boom sections 18, 22 and 26 are appropriatelypositioned so that the nozzle or discharge end 55 or hose section 54 isin alignment over the opening in the form or the like. In soestablishing such position, cylinders 21, 62 and 62' can be actuatedindependently so as to afford great precision of positioning the nozzle.When the nozzle is in position, concrete is applied from a conventionaltruckmounted pump through conduit 14 and is deposited where desired.When the form or other receptacle into which the concrete is pumped hasbeen filled to the desired level, the pump is de-activated and theapparatus is moved to the next location where concrete is desired.Because of the fact that hollow axles 28 between the respective boomsections are concentric with the axis of movement between the boomsections, the booms can be repositioned without interference, eventhough conduit 14 is entirely filled with concrete. When the nozzle islocated at a new position, re-activation of the pump permits the pouringof the concrete to proceed.

For transporting the apparatus from job to job beams 22 and 26 can bemoved into the position shown by broken lines in FIG. 2 so that theapparatus can be transported quickly on public highways without specialtrailer rigs or the like. The cooperation of hydraulic cylinders 62 and62' with their associated cables 70 and 70, respectively, permits thebeams to be moved to the folded position in a powered fashion andtherefore materially shortens setup and cleanup time of the apparatus.

Thus, it will be seen that the present invention provides a boom for theplacement of concrete which boom is extremely versatile, is capable ofaccurate and rapid positioning, and can be quickly and compactly foldedfor transport.

Although one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described,it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications can be madewithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus adapted to be mounted on a free selfpropelled vehicle forconveying fluidized concrete comprising: a generally flat base, a firstelongate boom section mounted at one end to said base for pivotalmovement relative to said base, a second elongate boom section pivotallymounted to the free end of said first boom section for pivotal movementabout an axis transversely of said first section, a third elongate boomsection pivotally mounted to the free end of said second boom sectionfor pivotal movement about an axis transversely of said second section,a segmented flexible hose supported on said boom sections for conveyingconcrete from said base to the free end of said third boom section, andmeans for supporting said hose concentrically along the axis of pivotalmovement between both said first and second boom sections, and saidsecond and third boom sections, said sections being adapted to bepivotally moved into a folded unit wherein each of said sections isgenerally parallel to said base.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said hose supporting meanscomprises: a rigid pipe concentric with the axis of pivotal movementbetween said first and said second boom sections and forming an axle forpivotally joining last said sections, and means joining said hose tosaid pipe to afford relative rotative movement therebetween, said hosejoining means including a flange formed on said hose, a complementaryflange formed on said pipe, and a clamping ring of generally U-shapedcross-sectional form circumscribing said flanges to retain their facesin substantial slida-bly contacting position.

3. The invention of claim 1 in combination with a concrete dischargesubassembly secured to the free end of said third boom section, saidsubassembly comprising: a saddle for supporting the hose therein, saidsaddle being of generally quarter circular form, means for mounting saidsaddle on the free end of said third boom section for pivotal movementabout an axis substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of saidboom section and substantially tangent to the quarter circle of saidsaddle, whereby a hose supported in said saddle is pivotally movableabout an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of said third boomsection.

4. Apparatus for conveying concrete comprising: a base, a first elongateboom section mounted at one end to said base for pivotal movementrelative said base, a second elongate boom section pivotally mounted tothe free end of said first boom section for pivotal movement about anaxis transversely of said sections, a flexible hose supported on saidboom sections for conveying concrete from said base to the free end ofsaid second boom section, means for supporting said hose concentricallywith the axis of pivotal movement between said first and second boomsection, and means for pivotally positioning said second boom sectionrelative said first boom section including a hydraulic cylinder fixed tosaid first boom section, a piston slidably supported in said cylinder,first and second rods extending from opposite ends of said piston andreciprocally movable in response to reciprocal movement of. said piston,a first sheave mounted adjacent the fixed end of said first boomsection, a second sheave mounted concentrically with the pivotal axisbetween said first and second sections and being rotatively fixed withrespect to said second boom section, and a cable circumscribing saidsheaves and joined at its opposite ends to respective piston rods,whereby on movement of said piston in said cylinder in response toapplication of hydraulic fluid thereto said second boom section pivotsrelative said first boom section.

5. The invention of claim 1 in combination with a third elongate boomsection pivotally mounted to said second boom section at the free endthereof, a hose extension joining said hose for conveying concrete tothe free end of said third boom section, and means for supporting saidhose extension in concentric alignment with the axis of pivotal movementbetween said second boom section and said third boom section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,862,731 12/1958 Hedden et a1285-272 3,096,797 7/1963 Bily 137-615 XR 3,114,392 12/1963 Harper137-615 3,176,730 4/1965 Knight 137-615 XR 3,217,748 11/1965 Harper137-615 3,221,772 12/ 1965 Arntzen 137-615 3,236,259 2/1966 Ashton137-615 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner WERNER H. SCHROEDER, AssistantExaminer US. Cl. X.R.

